Conservation Incentive Programs
Farm Bill:
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, enacted into law in June of 2008, will govern the bulk of Federal agriculture and related programs for the next 5 years. The conservation provisions will assist farmers and ranchers in meeting environmental challenges on their land. This legislation simplifies existing programs and creates new programs to address high priority environmental and production goals. The “Farm Bill” enhances the long-term quality of our environmental and conservation of our natural resources.
General information:
In order for a landowner or operator to apply for any federally funded program(s), the applicant must meet all of the eligibility requirements set up by the farm bill. The land to be enrolled in the conservation program must also be registered with the Farm Service Agency (FSA). You may contact FSA during normal business hours at (513)887-3727 to check on this information, or set up an appointment to register a farm.
New Farm Bill 2008 Eligibility Requirement:
The new Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limit excludes persons from (1) receiving any program payments if their non-farm AGI exceeds $500,000 or $1,000,000 depending on the program, and (2) receiving direct payments if their farm income exceeds $750,000.
Programs administered by the Farm Service Agency:
We have listed below the programs that FSA administers, but Butler SWCD and NRCS provide the technical services to assist FSA with the workload.
Click on the Program that you are interested in to be taken to more information:
- CCRP- Continuous Conservation Reserve Program
- General CRP - General Conservation Reserve Program
Programs administered by the Natural Resource Conservation Service:
Listed below are the programs that NRCS administers. For more information on any of NRCS’s programs offered in Ohio please visit http://www.oh.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/- EQIP- Environmental Quality Incentives Program
- EQIP Forestry- Environmental Quality Incentives Program - Forestry
- WRP- Wetland Reserve Program
- WHIP- Wildlife Habitats Incentives Program
- CStP- Conservation Stewardship Program (formerly the Conservation Security Program- CSP)
- GRP- Grassland Reserve Program
- FRPP- Farm and Ranchland Protection Program
For more information, contact the following NRCS, Butler SWCD, and FSA employees at, 513-887-3720:
- John Williams, NRCS District Conservationist
- Ryan Smith, SWCD Agricultural Conservationist
- Kevin Fall, SWCD District Administrator
- Kathy Lynott, FSA Program Technician (CRP only, 513-887-3727)
The General Process for NRCS Conservation Programs
Step 1: Make sure that land meets the eligibility requirements.
Step 2: Landowner signs the application form
Step 3: If all eligibility requirements are met then NRCS will create a plan for the project.
Step 4: The application will be ranked by the NRCS office.
Step 5: The application process is competitive against other applications.
Step 6: The NRCS state office will notify the field office if the application will be funded.
Step 7: If not funded the application can be deferred to the next sign-up period. If it is funded NRCS field office staff will create a contract for the project.
Step 8: The landowner will come in to the office to sign the finalized contract.
Step 9: After the contract is signed the landowner has 1 year to begin the first practice of the contract.
Step 10: When a practice is complete the landowner will bring in his/her receipts/bills for the practice and sign an AD-1245 then NRCS can process his/her payment.